The Gallery - My Kitchen Legacy

For this weeks The Gallery, Tara has chosen a theme very close to home - KITCHEN

I love my kitchen. It is only 3 years old and I do spend a lot of time in there. Unfortunately owing to a boiler and heating system which has broken down I have not been home since Friday so I have been unable to photograph my kitchen for the purpose of this weeks Gallery, and I almost wasn't going to participate. However, instead I am going to use some which I have taken over the last few months.

I live with a man who firmly believes that apart from the kettle a kitchen is a place where the woman of the house resides and cooks the meals. In the 6 years I have been with him, my OH has cooked for me 3 times in total (spaghetti bolognese). Now don't get me wrong, I love cooking and I cook well and I am happy to prepare the meals BUT I don't want Burton and Jenson growing up believing that a kitchen is a place just for women! As it is Burton tells people thats it is "mummy's kitchen".

I want them to learn some cooking skills and both want to help out with (all) such domestic duties because they are not only learning important life skills, but they will be prepared for when they live away from home and when they share a home with their future partner/s.

So far Burton has helped me make gingerbread men, muffins, pizza and cakes and he really enjoys it. I will (hopefully) show him how to make other things as he gets older, and I will encourage Jenson to do the same. I think it is important that sons aswell as daughters are taught to cook and help out in the kitchen and I will do my best to instil this into my two boys.

It will be my legacy to teach them some great recipes and for them to understand that a kitchen is a shared room for mummies and daddies and children!!

NaBloPoMo, NaBloPoMo!

So the end is nigh.

My 30 days of writing a post for my blog every day finishes today.

I have to say that when I started this journey, I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep up my personal challenge of writing a post every day on top of the usual ones I do anyway (eg. the Gallery, Silent Sunday etc..) . Yet here I am a month later and I did it!

I was also concerned that people would be fed up of me blogging every day, but 47 posts later (total for the entire month) I am happy to report that I received lots of support, post views and comments. In fact possibly more than I would normally get. So thank you to everyone that stopped by this month and boosted my blogging confidence.

THE EXPERIENCE

I see the whole NaBloPoMo experience as a worthwhile one that I embarked on and a positive one, for me at least.

If I were to break it down then I would say the positives and negatives of blogging everyday are as follows:

POSITIVES
Boosted my blogging confidence
Revitalised my blogging mojo
Helped me to identify which type of posts people like to read and comment on, which is useful for moving my blog forward
I feel it has helped me to find an identity for my blog at last, and I feel comfortable with it and my style of blogging finally!
Gave me a chance to write about things which I may never have had the courage to do otherwise

Found some new blogs / twitter friends

NEGATIVES
Less time on twitter as most nights in between doing my mummy jobs I was writing posts
It was on my mind a lot as I as always thinking of ideas for posts and their content
Ended up having some late nights as a result of it

Not being able to read all the other NaBloPoMo posts - just to many but did my best to read some everyday

All in all the positives outweigh the negatives so I am pleased that is the case.

THOSE 30 POSTS

I am really proud of the 30 posts I have written for NaBloPoMo - a couple were recipes which don't really count - but those aside, I honestly think I have penned some of the best posts I have ever written for my blog. I certainly had some of my highest viewings for a few of them which makes me really chuffed.

These were the most read (and commented on) posts I wrote over the month:
20 Month Age Gap
Two Little Boys
Finding Out I Was Pregnant
Muddling Through Parenthood In My Own Way

This makes me really happy because these were all written about me :my experiences and feelings and were very personnel to me. Indeed certainly with the last two I really exposed myself and wasn't sure whether to post them or not. I am so glad I did, not just because they were viewed well but because of the wonderful comments I received on these posts. those comments have shown me that I can write and I can write about subjects which other people relate to and can emphasise with.

THE END

So in true Jenny style, I would like to thank NABloPoMo in my own unique way and say well done to all the other bloggers who took part - we did it!!

NaBloPoMo (sung to New York, New York)

Start spreading the news, 

I'm finishing today.

I took part every day in it - 

NaBloPoMo NaBloPoMo .

These posts of mine

Were written every day 

30 posts - I managed it

NaBloPoMo NaBloPoMo

To write more than a linky,

Quality blog time

I enjoyed writing them 

Most of the time

My bloggers block

Has melted away

I made a brand new start of it

NaBloPoMo 

30 posts I made it through, 

Got back my blogging mojo

Thanks to you 

NaBloPoMo NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo NaBloPoMo !

I woke up feeling relieved 

That I achieved this feat

To find I'm here still

Part of the list,

Of others who blogged

For the whole month

My bloggers block

Has melted away

I made a brand new start of it

NaBloPoMo 

30 posts I made it through, 

Got back my blogging mojo

Thanks to you 

NaBloPoMo NaBloPoMo!!

How did you find the experience if you took part?

If you didn't take part, do you think blogging every day is too much?

DAY 30 - THE END
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Pine Sugar Dusting

Some of you will have seen the Waitrose School Of Christmas Magic advert where TV chef Heston Blumenthal has created a pine sugar dusting for that festive favourite (well in my opinion anyway) the mince pie.

As Heston tells us all: ."Just sprinkle it on ...... and they'll smell just like Christmas trees, straight from the forest."

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas trees and I love a good walk through a forest and I really LOVE eating mince pies but do I want to eat all those flavours at once, and have a winter wonderland taste bud extravaganza inside my mouth? 

Uhm I don't think I do.

I do have a real tree for Christmas now and it's smell is pleasant enough. However,I have to admit that I never buy pine scented toilet cleaner because I find the smell of pine a little over powering. Therefore, the thought of eating something I enjoy that is doused in pine scented sugar dusting seems a little off putting to me.

Besides what about the other smells that could derive from a Forrest? 

All the little critters that live there like squirrels, deer and rabbits for example - are they also part of the Christmas smell? And let's not forget that if people take their dogs for walks in forests there could be other 'smells' associated with our Christmas trees that I certainly wouldn't want my mince pies to remind me of!! (apologies if that put you off whatever you might be eating whilst reading this!)

Now if Heston had invented a Christmas smell like mulled wine, or cinnamon, cloves, or Christmas pudding then that would be more likely to get my mouth salivating. I know he likes to think 'outside the box' and come up with something totally different, which he has succeeded with here, but I am just not sure if a Christmas tree flavour is it for me.

So as much as its a wonderfully creative and festive baking idea, I don't think I am persuaded to give the pine sugar dusting a go myself - the thought of eating a food I really like which has been topped with something which will remind me mostly of toilet cleaner is not appealing to my taste buds!!

How about you?

If you have tried this magical dust please tell me what you though of it, I am very curious to know if the concept really works.

DAY 29
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Toilet Training The Toddler Way

I think if Burton was telling you his top tips for going from using nappies to using the potty they would go something like this

Wee-ing

When the need to wee occurs cross legs and declare "wee mummy" and hobble over to the potty whilst holding your crotch

Remove pants and trousers and socks - they just get in the way

Sit on potty making sure willy is in - if in doubt push willy down with fingers BUT take care not to get fingers wet with wee

When you have finished, tell mummy and insist on showing her what you have done at least once!

Put pants back on taking care to make sure label is at the back, although sometimes the label is at the side and this gets confusing and results in a "willy is out mummy" situation! Which then results in much laughter from mummy and Burton!

Poo-ing

When the need to poo occurs announce to mummy "poo mummy" and then quickly dash over to the potty and remove all items of clothing again on his bottom half

Sit on potty ensuring willy is in again - just in case it's a "poo wee mummy" moment!

Once the deposit is in the potty sit back as far as you can to look at what you have just deposited.

Have a good jiggle on potty seat so that there is bound to be 'leftovers' on the seat where bottom needed wiping!! Also occurs from moving back to examine what has just been deposited from the in between your legs view!!

Tell mummy that you have done a "poo" or "poo wee mummy" and again makes sure she sees it and in some cases carry the potty over to show her! If other people are around show them too!!

Get up and walk around until mummy catches you and says its time to wipe your bottom and then say "no mummy" and sit back down again!

Whenever mummy asks you if you are finished so she can wipe your bottom keep telling her "no mummy"

Sometimes you may decide to start putting your pants back on before mummy has had chance to check that you have finished and wipe your bottom!

Once bottom has been cleaned run around the living room pant less and away from mummy with a naked bottom being sat on the sofa!! Followed by much laughter from him and not so much by mummy!

These top toddler toilet training tips are brought to you by Burton and mummy!

Care to share any of yours?

DAY 28
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Silent Sunday

Inspired by Mocha Beanie Mummy

Pear, Pea & Broccoli Cheese

I have made this little meal combo for Jenson a few times now and he really enjoys it. So I thought I would share it for any of you who are after inspiration for a meal for your baby.


You will need:
1 ripe pear (I used a conference)
4 small broccoli florets
1 handful of frozen peas
1 handful of grated cheese
1 tbsp cream cheese
100ml full fat milk

Method
Steam the broccoli and peas until soft and place in a bowl
Peal and chop the pear and add to the steamed veg
In a smaller bowl tip in all of the dairy products and place in microwave for about 2 minutes til the cheese has melted and sauce is thicker
Tip in to the pear and veg and blend until smooth/textured depending on your baby's weaning/eating stage

Give to hungry baby - nom nom


Makes about 3-4 portions (again depending on your baby's appetite)

DAY 27
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Dear So and So - the cranky version

href="http://3bedroombungalow.blogspot.com" target="_blank">

Dear Boiler
Why do you have to break down now we need you working? We have only had about 3 days of heating in the last three weeks and we have had to have a plumber out three times already! Last night you packed in again and we have had to have yet another part ordered. I am just grateful to be at my mums for the weekend where there is heating in abundance and I can walk around without lots of layers and sleep in minimal bed wear rather than looking like I am off to the Antarctic!!
So please stop getting air pockets in your pipes and sort yourself out before the weather gets even colder!
Yours,
(with warm fingers and toes for first time in a while (without the need for socks and gloves)
Jenny

Dear Burton,
Please when I ask you to do something can you please just do it and not get in a paddy and throw a little strop. Or can you please hurry up and not take forever because I get impatient warming for you to wash your hands whilst you mess about, or put your socks and shoes on about 6 times before we go anywhere. Also you keep telling me you "don't like" your food, even meals you usually do like. Enough already just keep quiet and eat it, you are two not 22!!!
Thank you
Yours,
(your not so patient) mummy xx
Ps. You will be having an early night tonight as you are very tired!

Dear Jenson,
Please can you stop using my nipples as soothers - don't get me wrong I love having our snuzzles and you am happy that you are still taking your nightime feeds from me, but sucking for at least an hour each night is getting a little tiresome. Plus you shouldn't be waking up in the night as much now surely? Afterall you eat plenty during the day and have a feed before you go to bed so come on please sleep through.
Yours,
(your tired and blood shot eyed) Mummy xx

Dear Christmas,
You know I love you and everything about you and your festiveness but you are creeping up on me far too quickly!! I am just not in the thinking about presents kind of mood yet, probably because I am a bit tired and thinking about what post I can write about each day until 1st December!! Oh and annoyed that my underfloor heating is knackered!!
See you very soon Christmas.
Temporarily bah humbug
Jenny

DAY 26

Saturday Is Caption Day #3

Ok so you know what to do - leave a caption in the comments box below for this weeks photo which is from a few months ago. Then see what other captions you can come up with by clicking on the badge :)

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alt="Saturday Is Caption Day" style="border:none;" />

Smiley Faces & I Don't Like It Phase

So we have a new phase in toddler-hood! It's the "I don't like it" at meal times phase! Burton puts a mouthful of food into his mouth, screws up his face, spits it out into his hand and says "I don't like it"!! 

My response? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhh!!!

marmite on bread with cheese is his
new food favourite!

Except that last bit is only screamed inside my head as I don't want to make the situation worse or make it look like it is annoying me!

The thing is, where on earth has he learnt to say this sentence? His Daddy and I certainly haven't taught it to him and the only other people we see on a regular basis are his grandparents and his cousin Ben who, at a few months older, LOVES his food - I mean LOVES all food so I can not possibly imagine he has learnt it from him. **

So far he has told me he doesn't like chili con carne, cottage pie and turkey bolognese - three foods I know he usually likes. Oh and peas is another food that he is removing from his mouth and trying to give back to me! He has always eaten peas - its the only vegetable I have never had to disguise. 

So in a last bid attempt to get him to eat his food after the "I don't like that" has been said, I resort to the 'smiley face' game which has been a meal saver these last few weeks. Let me explain. 


Back in August  I posted a piece about Burton being faddy about his eating and after reading the lovely comments I received I deduced it was me of his many phases. Meal times were starting to become very fraught especially the ones where daddy sat with us as he was taking Burton not eating his meals a little too far, I felt personally. I didn't want it becoming an issue. As far as I was concerned, and still am, if Burton refuses to eat something I know he likes usually, unless he is ill, then he is told that there is nothing else so he either needs to eat it or that's it. If it is something he has never eaten before, or he is unwell, then just one mouthful to try his meal is all I am asking him to do and would warrant having something he does instead.

Anyway, having discussed this with Burton's (paternal) grandma she suggested I distract Burton's attention away from what was on his plate while eating and she came up with the 'smiley face' game. Very simply, for every mouthful of his meal that Burton eat I draw a smiley face -  and not just any smiley face but mine or daddy's or Jenson's or grandma's etc... And then shove a spoonful in his mouth! This has actually worked and he was even eating foods that he wouldn't normally! Yay - a miracle! Well not quite but it worked! We don't have to play this game every meal time because most days he will eat his food but if he starts to play up I just get a piece of paper out and a crayon and off we go again.

that was 'mummy'

Now in playing this game at regular intervals over the past couple of months Burton has wanted to draw smiley faces himself. Now back in February for the Colourful Me meme which as doing the rounds on twitter I had to ask Burton to draw me and this is what he drew - well he was only 18 months back then!! 



However, a couple of weeks ago he started drawing smiley faces on a drawing app that I have on my iPad and he drew these

Burton's grampy (complete with beard!)     and Jenson

Now he draws faces all the time whenever he gets the chance and I think they are coming along very nicely

my little artiste at work ;)

Anyway, after that little art attack, back to my post!

So basically, for the last couple of months his eating has been great again and he has been eating his meals by himself again using his cutlery and not his hands (!) and not complaining and only very occasionally grumbling about what is on his plate. That was until the "I don't like this"  reared it's screwed up face last weekend!! I am hoping this is also a phase and although the good old smiley face game is still working, just about during this new meal time palava, I am wondering if it has had its day as it is getting harder to distract him from what I am placing into his mouth!

Oh well hopefully meals will return to some kind of 'normality' and no doubt a new reason not to eat them will crop up. Still on the plus side, at least Burton's smiley face drawings have come on in leaps and bounds - always good to spot a positive for every negative!

What measures have you resorted to to get your child to eat their meals? Have you had the "I don't like it" phase too?

** I have since discovered that cousin Ben did teach Burton the "I don't like it" phrase -after spending time with him yesterday! 

DAY 25

 

Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Having recently discovered the wonders of roasting a whole chicken in my slow cooker, I have also been experimenting with joints of beef too. As I said in the roast chicken post I may never have to roast a piece of meat in the oven again!

I have found that by roasting my joint of beef in the slow cooker, not only is my meat tender beyond belief but as it cooks it creates its own gravy which contains all the juices from the beef. Now I like my beef cooked well done so this recipe is based on that cooking method, but if you wanted it rarer I would suggest you cook it for less time. I appreciate that a joint of beef doesn't take long to cook the conventional way in an oven but I like the fact that I can leave it all day while I am doing other things for an evening meal, or pop it on before I go to bed if I wanted it for Sunday lunch. it also means that you could have a cheaper cut of need like brisket and it ends up tender by the end of its slow cooking.

This way of roasting a joint of beef is my way and I know that not everyone will want to try this, but it is delicious, if you have the time to wait for it!

You Will Need:

a joint of beef of your choice (I have used both brisket and top rump)

thyme

black pepper

sea salt

olive oil

1 onion

2 carrots

oxo cube and 1/2 pint of boiling water 

Method:

rub the joint in olive oil and coat with the thyme, and seasoning 

heat a frying pan on the hob/stove and add a little olive oil

flash fry each side of the joint to brown it and seal the juices

chop the onion into quarters and roughly slice the carrots and place at the bottom of your slow cooker

transfer the joint into your slow cooker and sit on top of the veg

mix the oxo cube with the filing water and add to the slow cooker

put the lid on and put on lowest seeing and thats it - for me I tend to leave it cooking for 6 hours approx

when its cooked to your liking remove the beef and leave to rest and then use the sauce in the slow cooker

as the base for your gravy

Also

you could add red wine or ale in the slow cooker to roast the beef in to make an extra rich and tasty gravy

I don't have a photo of the plated up meat as I forgot to take a photo of it! 

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!! Blogger Fun

I have been tagged (again!) in a I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here inspired meme by the lovely Helen from The Crazy Kitchen in a post originally started by Kate On Thin Ice

Now I have to confess that I do not follow this programme BUT I do know about it from the tweets I read!! So without any further ado here are my answers

1. What one thing about being  parent makes you scream "get me out of here" ?

        The whinging that my toddler does - I cannot stand it! 

2. What skills, if any, do you have that would be useful in the jungle?

       Well I can make meals from very few ingredient and I can talk a LOT about anything and

           nothing!

3. How are you likely to annoy people if you were stuck with them for 3 weeks 

         Well as I cannot stand creepy crawlies, spiders, snakes and make shift toilets - I would 

          probably end up getting on their nerves with my moaning and complaining and in some 

          cases, screaming!

4. Whats the worst thing you had ever eaten?

       Offal like liver or kidney! Yuk! There is no way I could eat any of the crap they make  

          people eat on 'I'm A Celebrity'

5. What luxury item would you take into the jungle with you?

         My smart phone and charger and a toilet (just for me!)

6. What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

I had sex in a pub toilet and girls kept banging on the door cos they wanted to use the 

           loo!?

7. Who would you miss most if you went into the jungle with a bunch of strangers?

           My boys of course

8. What celebrity alive or dead would you like to have with you in the jungle?

Ray Mears or Bear Grylls would be the most useful celeb friends to have in the jungle 

9. What would scare you about being in the jungle?

Everything really so I would make a rubbish contestant! Probably the creep crawlies if I 

          have to choose one. 

10. After leaving the jungle, you go to a luxury hotel. What would be the first thing    

          you did on reaching your hotel?

Have a hot bath and wash my hair.

       11th mission should you choose to accept it is to tell us why the person who tagged 

        you is a star

Helen is as lovely in real life as she is on Twitter - she is most definitely a star because she 

      is funny, she loves cakes and making meals from whatever she can lay her hands on - 

      just like me!

Ok so I think it is obvious that I would be useless as a contestant on this TV show - 

and thats fine with me!

        So now my next task is to pass this on and the rules are as follows:

1) Answer the 10 questions and consider the mission - DONE

2) Tag a blogger or two or more to do the same - I will tag

From Fun To Mum,  Bessy Blogs, Not My Year Off, A Hell Of A Woman

3) Come back to me and tell me you have done the questions and answers so

 I can read them x

DAY 24
 

The Gallery - Some Things I Am Proud Of

Tara has asked us to use the theme of SOMETHING I AM PROUD OF to inspire our Gallery posts this week.


It's a bit of a predictable cliche for me to state here that the things I am most proud of are my wonderful children. I honestly feel that they are my greatest accomplishment and of course I am immensely proud  of them

I appreciate that EVERY parent thinks their child/children is the most precious, beautiful, clever etc.... , but for the purpose of this post please allow me to indulge my proud Mummy - ness and show you some thing's I am most proud of.

proud to be a mummy for the first time

proud to be a mummy a second time

proud to have a water baby 

proud of the smiles I receive 

proud that the letter 'm' for mummy is the first one being practised :)

proud that my boys are loving brothers

proud of my boys full stop

proud to be their mummy :)

DAY 23

 

The Mummy Quiz

I have been asked by the bumpalicious (in fact soon to be Mummy to 2 as she is currently in labour - well in hospital at least - as I write this!)  Karin from Cafe Bebe. The idea for this quiz style post came about as Karin will explain:

The other day I was reading an American tabloid magazine and in it they had a “Mommy Quiz” where they asked celebrity “moms” questions about their children. Well, as I am a “mummy”, I thought I would change the title to “The Mummy Quiz” and let you in on some of my answers.

So here is The Mummy Quiz

Before my child can fall asleep I have to…

This answer is tricky because most nights Daddy puts Burton to bed while I see too Jenson. So before I take Jenson upstairs for his feed, I always make sure I give Burton a kiss and I tell him I love him and he reciprocates. 

With Jenson I have to ensure he has booby time before he falls asleep! I also need to make sure that he is asleep before I can leave the room otherwise he starts to cry and in some cases, more recently, he makes himself sick!

One thing I do that makes my child laugh is…

I am always making funny faces, putting on silly voices and blowing raspberries - these things make Burton laugh. He also laughs when he 'pops' and if I do in front of him accidentally (well I have had two kids my 'popping' control is not quite what is once was, sadly)
Jenson laughs when I blow raspberries on him or pretend to gobble him up!

One thing my child does that makes me laugh is…

Burton is always making me (and Daddy) laugh he is such a little performer! Whether it be his dancing, his silly faces, 
his silly noises and so on. Oh that's more than one thing isn't it.......oooops!

I’m more lenient than I thought I would be about…

Allowing Burton to use adult things like the iphone, the TV remote, the CD/DVD player and the iPad etc... In fact I told his Daddy that I didnt want our children using such technology until they were older but it has happened already (started by gadget fan daddy when Burton was about 6-7 months old with his introduction to the iPhone!). The sad thing is, Burton knows his way around these pieces of kit better than me I think! 

On the plus side, certainly the iPad has helped to teach him skills such as counting, the alphabet, opposites, singing along to nursery rhymes etc.. due to the apps that I have downloaded for him so I guess its not all bad.

 

It also means that baby brother is keen to see what all this playing with iPhones and iPads is all about!! He is always trying to touch the screen!

One of the most ridiculous things I’ve said as a parent is…

I think it is the things I said before my baby was born which now seem the most ridiculous (a post I have drafted in fact so watch this space) e.g.. i wont be letting my children watch too much TV when they are very small!! uhm, yeah right!

The best rule in our house is…

Good manners cost nothing 

Sometimes I wish I could snap my fingers and make my child…

Get ready to go somewhere quicker!!! It takes forever - getting him dressed, putting his coat and shoes on and then once that is done he needs to use the potty so it all has to come off again!! I would love a magic pair of snapping fingers for this!
Oh and I would love to remove his ability to whinge also!

There we have it. Cafe Bebe’s “Mummy Quiz”! If you’d like to take part and share your Mummy responses, feel free to do so! 

DAY 22

 

Little Photos From Little Fingers

I have been tagged in a lovely little meme (one of many that I have been tagged in recently!) by my good pal the TheBoyandMe which was created by that very funny Mamasaurus  to show off photographs that our children take with their little fingers.


As I mentioned and revealed in my recent Gallery post, Burton is always using my iPhone to take photos and indeed take videos of random things but mostly of his family. I love finding these little gems in my photo album, they really make me smile. Recently, he asked us all to say 'cheese' now before he takes our photo!

So here are some of my favourites 

mummy & bebe (!) Jenson

Boys time

Grandma

me (no make up - yikes!) & Jenson

Changing time

Daddy

me on Twitter!

Grandma

me

Jenson watching TV

Little feet

Ok so now to pass this onto 5 other people whose little people might take photos (fingers crossed)

Do Snails Need Doulas - because I know she is fab at photography & her son is showing an interest

Real Housewife of Suffolk County - I think she would like to take part 

1978 Rebecca - because she asked to be tagged

A Matter Of Choice - because she likes me???!!

Mummy Musings - because umm well she is nice 

Then link your post up back to Mamasaurus following the badge below